Are you looking to reach your full career potential, but something is in your way? You are far from alone, but the real question is how you can stand out in the modern world, when there are so many people in your position. Fortunately, there are quite a few people that have already reached the top of their fields, and some of them can provide you with the advice you need to make your dreams a reality. Business Insider did just that recently, and the top-performing executives they talked to have some advice of their own.
The first step to building a great career is perseverance. You may have heard this from many others before, but the reality is that life is tough, especially for high-performing individuals. Everyone, especially those that aim for something greater than an average career, will go through challenges that feel insurmountable at one time or another. Remember, these are just feelings, and the future you are working toward is more important than whatever these feelings tell you.
Next, to make it to the top, you need to be an authority in your field. You can become an authority over time (or in some cases rather quickly) by staying on top of your field. Keep up with all developments in your field and share your thoughts and opinions wherever and whenever it’s appropriate to do so. Most importantly, try to be a trendsetter instead of a trend follower, as this is when you truly become an authority. All of this becomes easier the harder you work at staying on the cutting edge of your field.
Lastly, if you really want to be happy in your career, never sell out your own values. No career will feel rewarding if it eats you from the inside out. Ideally, try to go for the best position you can by putting in your very best for a company or institution that has a mission statement you can get passionate about.
